Building an app can cost anywhere from £5,000 to £500,000 depending on how you approach it. That's a massive range, isn't it? The difference often comes down to one key decision: whether you use traditional coding methods or embrace newer AI-powered development approaches like vibe coding. This choice affects everything from your initial budget to how quickly you can get your app into users' hands.
When clients ask me about development costs, I always tell them there's no single answer. The budget planning process depends on so many factors—your app's complexity, the features you need, and most importantly, which development method you choose. Traditional coding has been the gold standard for years, but AI development tools are changing the game completely.
The biggest mistake I see businesses make is choosing their development approach based on cost alone, without understanding the long-term implications for their project
Understanding vibe coding cost versus traditional development isn't just about comparing price tags. It's about making an informed decision that aligns with your timeline, budget, and business goals. Throughout this guide, we'll break down the real costs of both approaches, examine the trade-offs, and help you determine which path makes sense for your project. No marketing fluff—just honest insights from someone who's been in the trenches of app development.
What Is Vibe Coding and How Does It Work
Right, let's talk about vibe coding—though I'll be honest, when I first heard this term I thought someone was having a laugh! But it's actually a real approach that's been gaining traction in the development world. Vibe coding is basically a way of building apps that focuses on rapid prototyping and getting something working quickly rather than spending months planning every detail upfront.
The whole idea behind vibe coding is that you start with a rough concept and begin building straight away. You're not writing detailed specifications or creating extensive wireframes first. Instead, you jump into the code and let the app evolve as you go. It's a bit like sketching with code—you're exploring ideas through actual development rather than theoretical planning.
How the Process Actually Works
The process typically follows these steps:
- Start with a basic idea or "vibe" of what you want to build
- Create a minimal working version quickly
- Test it with real users straight away
- Make changes based on feedback
- Repeat the cycle until you've got something that works
This approach works particularly well for startups and projects where you're not entirely sure what the final product should look like. The downside? It can lead to messy code and unexpected costs if you're not careful about scope creep.
Understanding Traditional Development Methods
I've been working with traditional coding methods since the early days of mobile app development, and let me tell you—it's a proper marathon, not a sprint! Traditional development involves writing code from scratch using programming languages like Swift for iOS or Kotlin for Android. Every single feature, button, and screen needs to be manually coded by developers who've spent years learning these complex languages.
The process starts with developers creating wireframes and technical specifications, then building the app piece by piece. Each function requires hundreds or thousands of lines of code, and everything needs to be tested thoroughly. We're talking about months of work just to get a basic app running—and that's with experienced developers on the team.
Why Traditional Coding Takes So Long
Traditional coding is like building a house brick by brick. Developers need to create databases, user interfaces, backend systems, and security features all from the ground up. Bug fixes alone can take days or weeks to resolve, and adding new features means writing entirely new code sections. Before starting any project, it's crucial to develop a solid business case for your mobile app that accounts for these time investments.
Budget at least 3-6 months for a basic traditional app, with costs heavily weighted towards developer salaries and ongoing maintenance.
Breaking Down Vibe Coding Costs
Right, let's talk money—because that's what you're really here for, isn't it? Vibe coding costs are refreshingly straightforward compared to the murky waters of traditional development pricing. You're looking at roughly £15,000 to £40,000 for most projects, which might sound like a lot but stick with me here.
The beauty of vibe coding lies in its predictability. No nasty surprises three months down the line when your developer discovers they need to rebuild the entire user authentication system (yes, that's happened to clients before). Most vibe coding platforms charge either a flat project fee or a monthly subscription that covers development, hosting, and basic maintenance.
What You're Actually Paying For
Your money covers the platform licence, developer time (significantly less than traditional methods), and ongoing support. The developer spends their time configuring pre-built components rather than writing everything from scratch—think of it as premium Lego blocks rather than carving each piece from wood.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Platform limitations can bite you later. If your app needs custom integrations or unique features that don't fit the vibe coding framework, you'll need traditional development anyway. Some platforms also charge extra for additional users, advanced features, or white-label solutions. Always ask about these upfront—trust me on this one.
Traditional Development Cost Breakdown
When I explain traditional coding costs to clients, I always start with the biggest expense—developer salaries. A skilled mobile developer in the UK can cost anywhere from £50,000 to £100,000 per year, and most projects need at least two or three developers working together. Then there's the project manager, the designer, and often a quality assurance tester too.
The timeline makes these costs add up quickly. A typical business app takes 4-6 months to build from scratch, whilst more complex apps with custom features can stretch to 8-12 months. That's a lot of salaries to pay before you see any return on investment.
Hidden Costs That Catch People Off Guard
Beyond the obvious development costs, there are expenses that clients often forget about. Testing devices, app store fees, third-party integrations, and backend infrastructure all need budget planning. When considering your options, you might want to explore outsourcing mobile app development to manage these complex cost structures more effectively.
The biggest mistake I see is clients thinking development ends when the app launches—that's actually just the beginning of ongoing costs
Server hosting, security updates, and bug fixes are ongoing expenses that traditional development requires. These maintenance costs typically run 15-20% of the initial development budget each year, making budget planning for the long term absolutely critical for success.
Comparing Speed and Time Investment
Time is money—and nowhere is this more true than in app development. After working with countless clients over the years, I can tell you that the biggest shock people get isn't the cost, it's how long everything takes. This is where vibe coding and traditional development really start to show their differences.
Development Timeline Comparison
Traditional development can take months to build even a simple app. You're looking at weeks just for the planning phase, then months of actual coding, testing, and debugging. I've seen projects that were supposed to take three months stretch to eight or nine. It happens more often than you'd think.
Vibe coding platforms promise much faster turnaround times. Some claim you can have a working app in days or weeks rather than months. The visual drag-and-drop approach means less time writing code from scratch—you're essentially assembling pre-built components.
Resource Requirements
Here's what you need for each approach:
- Traditional: Multiple developers, designers, project managers, and testers
- Vibe coding: Often just one or two people with platform knowledge
- Traditional: Months of full-time work from skilled professionals
- Vibe coding: Part-time work spread over weeks
The trade-off is flexibility versus speed. Traditional development gives you complete control but takes longer; vibe coding gets you to market faster but within certain limitations. Sometimes projects don't go as planned, and you might need to know how to transition between development teams if issues arise.
Long-Term Maintenance and Updates
Here's something that catches many people off guard—building your app is just the beginning. Once your app goes live, you'll need to keep it running smoothly, fix bugs, and add new features. The approach you choose for development will shape how much this ongoing maintenance costs you.
With traditional coding, maintenance typically requires hiring skilled developers who understand your specific codebase. These developers don't come cheap, and making changes can be time-consuming since everything needs to be coded from scratch. Bug fixes might take days or weeks depending on complexity.
Vibe coding and AI development tools often make maintenance more straightforward. Many platforms offer built-in update systems and automated bug detection. Changes can be implemented faster, which translates to lower costs over time. This is where having a comprehensive long-term mobile app strategy becomes essential for planning your ongoing investment.
Budget roughly 15-20% of your initial development cost annually for maintenance, regardless of which approach you choose.
Key Maintenance Costs to Consider
- Operating system updates and compatibility fixes
- Security patches and vulnerability updates
- Server hosting and backend maintenance
- New feature development and user interface improvements
- Performance optimisation and bug fixes
The good news is that modern development approaches—both traditional and AI-assisted—are getting better at reducing long-term maintenance headaches. Planning for these ongoing costs from the start will save you surprises later.
Conclusion
After working with both development approaches for years, I can tell you that choosing between Vibe coding and traditional development isn't about finding the "best" method—it's about finding the right fit for your specific project. Each approach has its place, and understanding their cost implications will help you make a smarter decision.
Vibe coding shines when you need to get an app to market quickly and cost-effectively. The reduced development time means lower upfront costs, making it perfect for startups testing ideas or businesses wanting to launch without breaking the bank. But remember, this speed comes with trade-offs in customisation and potentially higher long-term costs if you need frequent changes.
Traditional development costs more upfront and takes longer, but it gives you complete control over your app's functionality. If you're building something complex or need specific features that don't exist in standard frameworks, this investment often pays off in the long run.
My advice? Start by defining your app's core purpose and technical requirements. If you're unsure, speak with experienced developers who can assess your needs honestly. They'll help you understand which approach aligns with your budget, timeline, and long-term goals—because getting this decision right from the start can save you thousands down the road.
